Losec

Omeprazole reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. It's a widely-used treatment for indigestion and acid reflux. It's also taken to prevent and treat stomach ulcers. Sometimes, omeprazole is taken for a rare illness caused by a tumour in the pancreas or gut called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Omeprazole comes as capsules, tablets and as a liquid that you swallow (this is made to order). All types of omeprazole are available on prescription. You can buy the lowest-strength 10mg tablets and capsules from pharmacies.

It's usual to take omeprazole once a day in the morning. For severe illness, you can take it twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. Common side effects include headache, diarrhoea and stomach pain. These tend to be mild and go away when you stop taking the medicine. If you're self-treating with omeprazole, don't take it for longer than 2 weeks without checking with a doctor. Omeprazole is also called by the brand names Losec and Losec MUPS.

Most people who take omeprazole don't have any side effects. If you do get a side effect, it's usually mild and will go away when you stop taking omeprazole.

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